Projects

Replacing poles on H Frame Transmission Structures for Fortis BC in West Kootenays.What you see in this series of pictures is one line truck holding the cross arm while the old pole was detached and removed.The blasting crew moved in and blasted out the hole, then the new pole was set in place.

This is a 60,000 volt transmission line and the work was done while energized.

Kimberley, BC is the site of Western Canada’s largest solar project, with over 4,000 solar-cell modules, mounted on 96 solar trackers which follow the sun’s movement, maximizing solar exposure.It will be western Canada’s largest scale solar project and the first solar project in B.C.

Our scope of work on this project was:

excavated, bedded conduits, installed the slab and grounding for the Unitized Sub

Supply and installation of the Transformer and Unitized Substation that the solar collectors feed into

Installed an overhead power line to BC Hydro standards connecting the Unitized Sub to the BC Hydro Substation,

Did the interconnection design and the installation and commissioning of the substation interface where the solar feed connects to the BC Hydro grid.

The solar panels themselves were installed by Conergy, an Alberta firm. The shutdown to connect to the grid was completed recently and the sun mine is operational. This was a cooperative venture, with BC Hydro, City of Kimberly, Teck Coal, Conergy and Martech Electrical Systems Ltd.

Coordinating with the parties involved to design and install was a critical part of the success of this job.

The massive renovation of the Cranbrook Real Canadian Superstore was twofold: first, to make the Cranbrook store’s layout consistent with that of other Superstores; second, to align with the market trend toward a healthy life through healthy eating.

The upgrades included:

New lighting layout through the store to enhance specific areas

New pharmacy, optical centre, mobile centre and PC Financial services all with a brand new face through lighting and power layout upgrades

Arc fault and Short-circuit analyses done on the distribution system to ensure safety in operation and maintenance

Martech Electrical systems is proud to have been the Electrical Contractor on this major project, seeing it through from distribution to finishing.

Work for this Contract comprises of the supply and installation of LED lighting in the Tupper 1 Snowshed and related infrastructure on the Trans-Canada Highway in Glacier National Park, British Columbia.

The $900 million Waneta Expansion added a second powerhouse located immediately downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River. The expansion shares the existing hydraulic head and generates power from water that would otherwise be spilled. Output from the new powerhouse is stepped-up to 230Kv and delivered to BC Hydro’s Selkirk Substation through a new 10 km transmission line.

The expansion produces clean, renewable, cost-effective, power for all British Columbians.

This project was a major industrial install with detailed technical specifications, critical deadlines and work flow, and strict environmental protection requirements.

Martech was on site as the electrical contractor from the start

We started with setting up the D3D4 off-site laydown yard

Installed underground power distribution throughout, installed power and lighting in all buildings, connected the trailers farm, did site lighting etc.

Set up temporary power at the new power house construction site.

Construction of a new substation (Our fabrication shop in Castlegar built all the steel structures, and Martech Electrical did the installation of the steel, installed all the switches, buss and control components and commissioned).

From the substation we ran distribution and feeders for site trailers, equipment and the crews.

The initial phase of site was primarily excavation of the powerhouse site and the blasting/mining of the two water intake tunnels. We provided temporary power panels as required, had a crew working with the mining contractor that was doing the tunnels to trouble shoot their equipment and keep it operational, provide temporary lighting as they progressed and made connections or relocations of their equipment as needed.

Once the powerhouse excavation was complete, the forms and concrete work began, with Martech installing necessary copper grounding cables and imbeds (conduits and sleeves) in the pours as they progressed up to ground level. The building above ground level is steel structure with an insulated sheet skin. Again, our Castlegar Fab Shop did the miscellaneous steel for the job. (Handrails, stairways, gratings, imbeds etc) .

As the building went up and was closed in, then the interior work for us began – primarily cable tray and surface routed Teck cable for all systems.

Martech was Contracted by Nelson Hydro for rebuilding the Rosemont Substation on Wasson Street in Rosemont. The system voltage conversion from 12 kV provides new 25 kV distribution feeders for the Downtown/Waterfront, Uphill/Rosemont/Hwy 6, and Southshore areas.

The old substation was at the end of its lifespan being about 60-years-old. And the new transformer from Taiwan is expected to last 40 years.

The Project site location – on a steep lot at the end of a no exit street in a residential neighbourhood – created some challenges!

Overhaul of the Lifting equipment of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam’s Hydroelectric Navigation Lock
This project aimed at enhancing the reliability and availability of all the lock’s machinery. Although it is also used by boaters, the lock’s main activity is the transportation of timber for sawmills and the paper-making industries downstream.
During 6 months, major mechanical and electrical repairs were undertaken on the 150-tonne upstream gate, the downstream winch of the same capacity, the empty and filling gates, and the control room.

Temporary power was provided for all project related trades

work was done to upgrade and modernize the control

a new crane cabin was installed

new cabling to added sensors and devices

additional lock lighting installed

boat traffic control indication lights put in

All project work that involved any interruptions to locks’ operation needed to be scheduled and approved by BC Hydro to avoid conflicts with user groups

Environmental impact was scrutinized throughout duration of project… spill contingencies plans were required due to work being near to and above watercourse at times.

Serving the West Kootenay region of Southern British Columbia, Castlegar Toyota is located in a modern and spacious 16,200 square foot facility at 1530 Columbia Avenue in Castlegar, BC.

This new construction project on the main commercial street through Castlegar, in close proximity to the Kalawski GM dealership, Kia, Hyundai and Glacier Honda resulted in the creation of an Auto Sales dealership neighborhood.

Teck’s Trail Operations, located in British Columbia, include one of the world’s largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes and the Waneta hydroelectric dam and transmission system. The metallurgical operations produce refined zinc and lead, a variety of precious and specialty metals, chemicals and fertilizer products.

Martech has a long-and good standing working relationship with Teck Trail Operations… from small temporary power hookups to major plant additions and high voltage installations.